Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Fall color update: three canyons color trio

Lundy Canyon, October 14, 2011. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

Spectacular colors in the Mono Basin are emerging in Lundy and Lee Vining canyons. Upper and lower elevation stands are a mixture of brilliant color and aspens-yet-to-show. Aspens along the June Lake Loop, particularly along Silver Lake and Grant Lake, are displaying yellows, reds, and oranges, and are just beginning to reach their peak (at least one week later than normal!). Warm sunny days and cool nights have accelerated anthocyanin production. Mild weather in the coming week will help to preserve the display through at least next weekend. Overall we can expect another two weeks of xanthous, ocherous, glory.